As we come together to pick up the pieces after the devastating storms in our area, we have put together some resources and information to assist those impacted. We will do our best to keep this updated as quickly as possible. #NebraskaStrong #IowaStrong #SummitServes

American Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa

The American Red Cross is assisting those affected by Friday’s tornadoes that swept through Nebraska and Iowa.

• Volunteers continue to distribute Emergency Relief Supplies across Nebraska and Iowa. To date, more than 2,300 supplies have been distributed.
• Red Cross volunteers are assessing the residential damage in affected communities to help us to better understand what help families may need in the days and weeks ahead.
• The Red Cross has volunteers trained in health services, mental health services and spiritual care needs available as part of this disaster response operation.

Find more info here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS

Click here for City of Omaha Emergeny Updates & Info 

Please report property damage by dialing 2-1-1 or online at dogis.org/211 to make a report.

For assistance with lost pets.

Nebraska Humane Society – nehumanesociety.org

Lost Pets of Omaha Area – Facebook for rapid response or online at lostpetsofomahaarea.org

A free tree and limb debris drop-off location is open at 209th & Park Drive in the north parking lot of Greenbrier Park (20601 Park Rd, Elkhorn, NE 68022) and will be managed by the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department. Hours are 9 AM to 7 pm daily until further notice. Only tree and vegetation debris from the storm will be accepted, hired contractors are not allowed. Please enter from park drive from the north and exit the dump heading south via 209th Street.

Funds to assist impacted families are set up through the Omaha Community Foundation and the United Way at 211

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Starting 4/29/2024: Washington County residents in need of volunteer assistance with clean up or other debris removal services can report to the Lakeland Community Center located at County Road 34 and Hwy 133 to work with the Salvation Army. Those individuals wishing to volunteer may apply with the Salvation Army at this location as well. The Salvation Army will be there to assist residents/volunteers from 8am-7pm daily until further notice.

Anyone wishing to donate clothing, shoes, food or other personal items may take these donations to the First Lutheran Church located at 2146 Wright Street, Blair NE 68008. The Red Cross is helping facilitate these donations with the Church.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents that you can obtain burn permits from your Local Fire Departments. For more information: Kennard Fire Department kfd.burnpermit.com Blair Fire Department blair-vfd.com.

Citizens may also reach out to the Nebraska Resource Hotline *211 make sure to mention Washington County to ensure that you are directed to the right resources

Nebraska/Iowa Tornado Relief Resources | April 2024

SBA to Open Business Recovery Center in Omaha to Help Businesses Impacted by Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Nebraska Small Business Development Center today announced the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center in Omaha on Friday, May 10 to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by severe storms, straight‑line winds and tornadoes that occurred April 25 – 27.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses inflicted on Nebraska businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The center will open as indicated below.

According to Nebraska Small Business Development Center’s State Director Tony Schultz, SBDC business advisors will provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation.

Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.

In addition, applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is July 2, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 3, 2025.